Tripura

Buddhist
Pilgrimage and Interest Centres in TripuraTripura is a tiny state in the North-East of the country. It
has extensive international border with Bangladesh and, in fact,
85% of its perimeter is international border with rest being common
boundary with Assam and Mizoram to the east. There is a common belief
that the name of the state has originated from the presiding deity
TRIPURA SUNDARI. Another theory is that the name of
the state was originally TUIPRA  meaning a land
adjoining water. Once upon a time Tripura extended upto the Bay
of Bengal when its ruler held from Garo Hill to Arakan.

History of
Tripura as an administrative unit back to the days of Maharajas,
when the territory was a native state. It was an independent administrative
unit under the Maharajas even during British Rule. The agreement
of merger was signed by the Regent Maharani on September 9, 1947
while Government of India took over the administration on October
15, 1949. Tripura attained full statehood on January 21, 1972.

Out of the
total area of 10,491 sq.km. the state has 6,291 sq.km. under forest
cover. The location of the state stands in the way of industrial
growth in the state. The state is connected with Asssam through
a railway track from Kumarghat, which is at a distance of 140
km from the capital town Agartala, while National Highway-44 connects
Agartala with Sillong in Meghalaya and Guwahati in Assam. Agartala
is connected by air with Calcutta and Guwahati. The state has
three more small Airports at Khowai, Kamalpur and Kailasahar,
where small-chartered planes can land after prior information.

Tripura has
a large number of attractive tourist sites including religious
sites of Hindus and Buddhists. The places of Buddhists interest
are described below.
Buddha Temple, Venuban Vihar in Agartala
The shrine though small in size, preserves some beautiful metal
idols of Lord Buddha and Bodhisatva. The idols are Burmese in
origin. Here Buddha Jayanti is celebrated on the Buddha Purnima
day followed by a big fair every year.

Nearest Airport: Agartala, 12 km from the city.

Nearest Railway Station: Kumarghat, 140 km from Agartala.

Buddhist Temple at Pecharthal, North Tripura
This temple is one of the oldest Buddha temples in the state.
It was set up in 1931. The Idol was brought from Rangoon in 1931.
This Idol does not look enormous in consideration of its incredible
weight of 700 kg.

Nearest Airport: Agartala, 165 km.

Nearest Railway Station: Pecharthal, 2 km.

Nearest Town: Kumarghat, 10 km.

Buddha temple at Kanchanpur, North Tripura
The temple is situated at sub-divisional headquarter. It is about
80 years old. Buddhists from different parts of the country are
coming to visit and stay there.